U-17 World Cup is one I will always remember: Kanu

Mumbai July 7 (IANS) Former Nigeria forward Nwankwo Kanu on Friday said the 1993 U-17 World Cup is a tournament he will always remember being part of and the youth showpiece played a big role in shaping his career.

"It s something that I ll always remember. That was a stepping stone for me " Kanu who is one of the FIFA legends taking part in the draw here told FIFA s official website.

"That World Cup made me. Being at the World Cup knowing that they had been doing well it was a big challenge for the young ones to follow in the footsteps of the ones who have been here and won it (in 1985).

"There was a little bit of pressure on us to come in and do well. When we arrived and saw the atmosphere how everybody was buzzing we believed that we could do well " the former West Bromwich Albion player who scored a hat-trick on his debut at that level an 8-0 win against Canada at Japan 1993 before going on to lift the trophy with Nigeria said.

Former Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso added: ": In its history we call the tournament the ‘U-17 World Cup but in the moment that you re playing it and living it it s the World Cup it s not the U-17 edition."

Cambiasso said playing for the country at that level for the first time is a special feeling.

"You never think about the age you re thinking that it s your World Cup. In that moment it s the highest level. Playing for the first time for your country is one of the best feelings.

"The first time with your country your first World Cup it s amazing. For me that third place was very good. The first objective that a country has is to play until the final day and we did. OK I d prefer to win the cup but when I think back now I m very happy with our performance."

The U-17 World Cup starts October 6 with the final slated to be played on October 28.

--IANS
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